This week, the Department of Homeland Security released its fiscal year 2014 enforcement statistics from the Office of Immigration Statistics, Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement groups. In FY 2014, DHS conducted a total of 577,295 removals and returns, including 414,481 removals and 162,814 returns. ICE had a total of 315,943 removals or returns, and CBP made 486,651 apprehensions.
Because of a rise in illegal entry from Central America during FY 2014, the apprehensions and removals of Guatemalan, Honduran, and El Salvadorian nationals rose. Additionally, 85 percent of ICE’s FY 2014 removals and returns from the interior of the United States were of convicted criminals.
“DHS’s 2014 yearend enforcement statistics demonstrate that our front line officers and agents continue to execute their critical mission in a smart and effective way, focusing our resources on convicted criminals and those attempting to illegally cross our nation’s borders,” said Secretary Jeh Johnson. “This year’s statistics are informed by a number of complex and shifting factors, most notably the 68 percent increase in migration from countries other than Mexico, predominately from Central America, and a 14 percent drop in Mexican migration since fiscal year 2013. The unprecedented surge of unaccompanied children and families last summer, as well as the increasing number of jurisdictions declining to honor ICE detainers, also impacted DHS enforcement operations. Notwithstanding these challenges, DHS components have adjusted and continue to successfully secure our borders and protect our communities.”
